If you had talked to Saskatchewan craft brewers just a few months ago, many would have said sales have been good and they are anticipating growth, and the pandemic hit.
Mark Heise, President of the Saskatchewan Craft Brewer’s Association, says these local entrepreneurs have all tried to pivot as quickly as possible to survive this new reality, including a delivery order website to have your favourite craft beer delivered to your door, but they are running out of momentum.
A recent survey conducted by the Canadian Craft Brewer’s Association indicates about half of this province’s brewers had a 50 per cent drop in revenue for March and April compared to 2019, and almost 40 per cent of local brewers didn’t qualify for federal funding or for the provincial small business emergency payment.
Heise says COVID-19 has been tough on brewers, like many other businesses, so he urges beer lovers to support local.